Sharp Philippines Corporation has always been at the forefront in providing world class products to the Filipinos. Now they are bringing the AQUOS LED 4K and 8K TVs!

It is part of the super premium Internet of things along with the Inverter Air Conditioner, and the start of the 'local made products' campaign.

“Sharp is now promoting ‘Changing the World with 8K and AIoT’ as we display products equipped with this outstanding technology that we will introduce in the Philippine market this year.” Yoshihiro Hashimoto, Managing Executive Officer of Sharp Corporation explained Sharp’s company direction.

Being one of the World leaders in appliance and electronics manufacturing, Sharp Philippines Corporation embraces market competition with the understanding of the ever changing needs of the consumers.

The new AQUOS 8K!

“Today I am excited to announce the launch of Sharp’s AQUOS 8K LED TV tuned for Asia in the end of year 2018 here in the Philippines to lead the 8K Display Industry” emphasized Toshio Kawata, Deputy General Manager TV System Business Unit of Sharp Corporation.

“Apart from displaying TV broadcasts and other media contents, 8K will dramatically impact many aspects of our lives: medical, business, security, education, transportation and many more.” Kawata elaborated the advantage of 8K technology.

Sharp Philippines Corporation is now focusing on the need to evolve depending on the trend of Technological impulse that brings about the thrill of revolutionary technologies. They are optimistic in taking the challenge to increase sales in LED TV by 40%!

RED is Sharp's color!

“We’re expanding our LED TV line up which focuses on 4K SMART TV that you can enjoy greatness and experience new technology.” Kito explained.

The Internet of Things Inverter Air Conditioner is innovating with these three features: AirFlow Technology, Super Energy Saving and Smart Control. All take advantage of being controlled via Wi-Fi connection with iOS and Android devices.

Power consumption control is now better because of the J-Tech Inverter Technology while the Plasmacluster Ion Technology deactivates airborne bacteria, viruses, molds and other contaminants that are found inside our homes.

What is amazing is all these products are locally made. This includes the LED TVs, washing machines, Videoke, and Electric Fans.

This they think will lead to an increase in sales.

What do you guys think?

Vivo local endorsers, singers, and real-life lovers KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde on Saturday, February 17, charmed their fans at a post-Valentine’s Day show at Limketkai Atrium in Cagayan de Oro City. 

The concert, which also featured The X Factor alumni Jeric Medina, Chandreena, and Shameena Moorjani as well as CDO-based Visayan pop singer Winset Jacot, was made possible through the support of global smartphone brand Vivo.

TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan, in a rare occasion, held a concert together for their fans in CDO.

The Limketkai Atrium was jam-packed with fans of all ages, from all walks of life to witness the talented singers perform their hits. In between the songs, fans screamed to show their love and appreciation for the pair. Unsurprisingly, Monterde and Tandingan did not disappoint. They hit the right notes and delivered a show for the books. They even performed a medley of Visayan songs, especially for their Kagay-anon fans.

Monterde sang his original compositions such as “Sa Tuwina,” “Imahinasyon,” and “Mahika.” Tandingan, meanwhile, delighted fans with her rendition of “Tadhana,” “Two Less Lonely People in the World,” and her winning performance of “Rolling in the Deep” on the Chinese television series “Singer 2018.”

The acoustic singer-songwriter seranded Kagay-anon fans with his original hits like “Dating Tayo,” “Tulad Mo,” and “Ikaw at Ako.”

TJ and KZ showed undeniable musicality and chemistry during their post-Valentine’s Day concert in CDO.

Tandingan and Monterde joined Vivo’s family in September 2017 during the launch of the V7+, the brand’s flagship smartphone that boasts of a 24-megapixel front camera and 5.99-inch all-screen display.

Since then, the singers have performed at Vivo’s mall shows in and out of Metro Manila in helping spread the word about what sets Vivo smartphones apart from the pack. Tandingan and Monterde both expressed their gratitude to Vivo for helping them mount the show.

“Vivo has always been supportive of our projects. We’re very thankful to them for helping us sing together for our fans in Cagayan de Oro,” the pair said.

To make the event more exciting, Vivo gave away V7 smartphones to two lucky fans who posted online a photo of the concert using the hashtag #VivoxTVxKZ.

Two lucky fans got a Vivo V7 smartphone from their idols themselves.

Dubbed as Soul Supreme, Tandingan hails from Digos City, Davao del Sur who won the first season of The X Factor Philippines in 2012. The acoustic balladeer, meanwhile, left his career as a radio personality and a host of ABS-CBN’s regional show MagTV in CDO to pursue his passion for music.

In 2017, they released the official lyric video of their duet “Ikaw at Ako Pa Rin” after it went viral. It was also part of Monterde’s self-titled album.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and

Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

CES 2018, the largest electronics convention of the year is where Vivo showcased the world's first production ready in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone!

Demonstrating their continued commitment to bring an extraordinary user experience to consumers, Vivo showcases the first production ready smartphone with an in-display fingerprint scanning technology that delivers a whole new mobile experience by enabling users to unlock their smartphone through one-touch fingerprint scanning directly from the display. This solves the industry's challenge of providing a better and more convenient fingerprint authentication experience without sacrificing the need for space just for a separate fingerprint scanner.

“With our efforts in extensive consumer research and long-term R&D investment, Vivo is well positioned to pioneer the development of fingerprint scanning technology. We first presented a prototype of our fingerprint scanning solution at MWC Shanghai 2017 based on an ultrasonic sensor, and have remained committed to realizing our vision for future smartphones,” said Alex Feng, Senior Vice President of Vivo. “Today’s showcase of a ready-to-produce in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone featuring an optical fingerprint sensor is a big leap forward in bringing consumers this long-awaited, futuristic mobile experience. We are very excited to make it available to consumers soon.”

The In-display fingerprint scanning technology from Vivo supports various scenarios besides unlocking the smartphone. It is only activated when needed. A graphical interface will reveal itself on the smartphone's display in scenarios where the fingerprint is needed like user authentication like in payments and logging-in to accounts.

Full-screen displays are set to deliver a more immersive user experience for consumers as various interactions will be integrated and consolidated on the display. Vivo In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology replaces the physical fingerprint button on the screen, laying the foundation for a truly immersive experience.

The showcasing of the world’s first in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone ready for mass-production marks a significant leap forward in the industry’s development, taking users’ smartphone experience to a new level. The availability of Vivo’s first in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone will be announced in early 2018.

The holidays have always been a large part of the Filipino's lives so Vivo Philippines celebrates the holiday spirit with a new video depicting a touching story of a children, their mother and the husband and father from the war.

Happy Holidays from Vivo!

The story centers on the grieving wife who tends to her children on Christmas eve when a group of carolers serenaded them with their rendition of 'Silent Night' outside their home. Inside the grieving family's home is fully flushed noche buena with gifts that welcomed these carolers. 

However the family's feelings were stirred because of the solitary portrait of the father of the home-a soldier who gave his life fighting for peace in the war.

This holiday video from Vivo became viral and garnered more than 780,000 views with more than 4,200 shares and near 41,000 likes within six days of its release from the Vivo Philippines facebook page. Because it focused on family, the holidays, togetherness and gratitude, Vivo's Holiday video hits home for many Filipinos.

The comments section abounds with emotional sentiments with messages of gratitude for the soldiers who fought to re-establish peace in Marawi. Some of the comments even expressed gratitude to Vivo for “giving [the audience] an avenue to thank the ones who enabled them to celebrate Christmas in peace.” “very meaningful and heartwarming! a tribute to all our soldiers and father! hats off to Vivo management for making this short film.”

You can watch the video with this link: HERE

What do you guys think?

Leading smartphone brand, Vivo held a re-launch of their latest smartphone offering from the V-series, the V7!

The Raffle Winner for the first ever V7 in the Philippines!

It was first unveiled at the grand launch held at SM City Bacolod Event Center last November 18 with Boyband PH headlining the event.

The re-launch was held at the SM North EDSA Cyberzone Event Center last November 28th and was graced by singer, Vivo influencer Julie Anne San Jose, male group One Up and was hosted by DJ, Vlogger Ashley Rivera.

The event was attended by members of the media from various networks and publications. Ms. Hazel Bascon, Vice President of Vivo Philippines and Head of Sales welcomed the press and the audience who came all the way to witness Vivo's latest product and endorsers!

This product just came in time for the holidays coupled with a special Christmas campaign to anchor the giving tradition of the Filipinos with full support from the Vivo brand!

Vivo enthusiasts who came to the event were invited to take a selfie with Santa Claus and inside the Vivo Phone booth. The Phones themselves are available for fans to play with and purchase.

The V7 retains the class leading 24MP front facing camera that fans have come to know and love from the V7 Plus released earlier this year.

Tomas Morato has been one of the major dining locations in the Metro for several years now. As such, restaurants that have been coming and going. Very few have stood the test of time. Thaipan is one of the veterans that have been around since 2006. This must mean something, and because we have yet to eat there, we decided to see for ourselves along with some friends how it really is!

They have this fancy private room that can seat at least 12 people!

The Ambiance 

Thaipan at first glance is a fancy house from the 70's that was remodeled to become the premier Thai restaurant it is today. The walls are decorated with hand painted patterns from local artists. The lights are mostly yellow that give off this warm and cozy feel to it that offers a relaxing but refined mood. It may however feel dark to some people.

The Tables are mostly made of glass and steel while the chairs are made of premium polycarbonate and steel while utensils feel solid and have a tactile feel to them that perfectly goes along with the other steel materials in the room. 

A bit of a tease of what's to come!

Glass Half Full

The Food

I was one of the first to arrive at Thaipan before my friends and while waiting, the waiter offered for me to check their drinks. He recommended the iced Thai milk tea which I was curious about, so I ordered one. As soon as I took my first zip, it exploded with flavor in my mouth. You could taste the milk and the tea distinctively. I was zipping so much that I forgot to take a picture hence, glass half full.

Pomelo Salad!

For appetizers, we were we had the Pomelo Salad and the Mieng Kham. The Pomelo Salad is different because the shredded chicken with garlic and pomelo doesn't make sense at first but when it touches your mouth it was an amazing surprise. The Pomelo's sweetness, the chicken's meatiness and the garlic's heat are all brought together by the spices which actually complements each of the other ingredients. The Mieng Kham is a standard dish and their rendition was okay. It wasn't bad but it didn't have anything special about it either.

The Mieng Kham!

For Soup, we ordered the Tom Yum, the Laksa and the Thai Chicken Curry. We ordered the mild spicy versions of the Tom Yum and the Laksa and the they were both good. The flavors of the seafood, the vegetables and the spices of the Tom Yum hit you as soon as the soup hit your tongue. The Laksa's soup has a strong kick that is complimented by the creamy texture. I do wish that the soup was a little thicker to reach perfection. The Thai Chicken Curry was different because it's curry but it doesn't have the spicy HOT kick. Otherwise, the chicken and yellow curry sauce is good.

The Tom Yum!

The Laksa!

The Thai Chicken Curry!

For the main course, we had quite the list: Fish Tamarind, Pandan Chicken, Stir-fried Squid and Shrimp, and Soft-Shell Crab in Black Pepper Sauce. The Fish tamarind was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside with the moist flavor bursting fish inside. The Pandan chicken was okay. A little underwhelming compared to the rest.

Pandan Chicken and Fish Tamarind!

Soft-Shell Crab in Black Pepper Sauce

Stir-Fried Squid and Shrimp

The Soft Shell Crab was a little salty, otherwise, the texture, the flavor and the kick worked together and is amazing. I couldn't get over at how soft and refined the texture of the crab was while the Squid and Shrimp was about the same. The technique was perfect. Ingredients are cooked to perfection with the flavors dancing, the textures refined and the spiciness just right!

Phad Thai Noodles

Last, but not the least: the Phad Thai Noodles! The preparation was unique as the tofu and the rest of the ingredients are inside. The sauce was amazingly flavorful which mildly thick texture that brings out the individual flavors of the other ingredients. It is best to eat this right away because the flavor changes as the ingredients soak up the sauce making the texture soggy.

For dessert we had the Ta Koh Sakhoo which is a tapioca pearl topped with creamy steamed cake. It was absolutely, decadent. The way the steamed cake oozes and melts in your mouth while the mild sweetness hits you is absolutely, heavenly. I recommend this dessert! It's refreshing coming from seeing mostly chocolates and ice creams as dessert options.

Ta Koh Sakhoo

The Service

The service was good. I was entertained as soon as I arrived, even though my companions arrived a little later. They were kind enough to set the table and offer me a drink first. We waited for ten minutes and the first few dishes arrived, and we were soon overwhelmed because most of the dishes came together. This is not a bad thing as we were given the chance to taste everything.

There was always a waiter near by if we needed anything. You have to order the dessert right away though because the prep time can take a while. What astounded me was how each of the three waiters I inquired about different dishes knew what the dish was, how it was prepared and what possible related dishes can be recommended. I liked this. It just goes to show how a restaurant can stand at least five years. (and the crew are proud of it.)

The Price

The price of the dishes vary. The appetizers start at Php 198 and averages around Php 250. Salads and main dishes start at Php 250 and can get up to Php 399 while the drinks start at Php onwards. The decadent desserts start at Php 178 to Php 205. I find their pricing justifiable relative to its quality and its portions. With each dish that I have tasted, I never found any to be over priced and I enjoyed my stay with Thaipan.

The Verdict

What We LIKED:

• Most of the dishes we had were Good with only a handful to be okay
• That Dessert was heavenly and refreshing!
• The SPICY KICK is very much welcome
• Phad Thai was Unique
• Staff service is remarkable

What We Almost LIKED:

• Pandan Chicken and Mieng Kham were only Okay
• Some people will find the ambiance refined but a little dark

Do you want to Contact 'Thaipan?'

Address: 120 Sct. Dr. Lazcano Tomas Morato, Quezon City, Philippines

Telephone number:  (0917) 808 0718

Facebook: Thaipan Facebook Page

Instagram: @thaipan_qc

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday 11AM to 3PM, 6PM to 11PM

Kapitolyo as grown its reputation to be one of the foodie centers of the Pasig City. Located in between the Ortigas Business District and the Bonifacio Global City, it serves as nearby sanctuary from the work focused skyscrappers of the two business capitals. It only makes sense that eventually a specialty coffee shop would take root in Kapitolyo.

The Ambiance

The design theme of United Coffee is a cut above most establishments yet it doesn't stand out too much; However, it has this X-factor that makes the place unbelievably cozy. We could never point out what exactly, but it's there and you will only notice this when you sit down and slow down while waiting for your order.

Simple but Elegant Ambiance!

They even have shelves for books to read. In fact, we would always see patrons who always borrow books to read while enjoying their cup of coffee. We believe to have seen a complete Harry Potter Collection for patrons to read too.

It's a cup you won't regret!

The Coffee, The Beverages and The Service

In our several visits to United Coffee, they carried EDSA Beverage Design Groups Beans. So the flavor profiles would depend on which blend they would use. We particularly love the characteristics of their Single Origins and their Dark Matter Theory for it's unique flavors.

The noteworthy thing about their baristas is that each time we come back, you will notice a small improvement in their brewing specifically the hand brewed preparation. I couldn't explain it but I would always notice the slight difference may it be from the texture or the sensation of the body in my mouth.

One of the Better Matcha Latte's in the Metro right now!

Matcha has really taken over the world by storm and United has their own version of the Matcha Latte and it is one of the better Matcha lattes I've had. It has a more refined but concentrated flavor that hits your tongue as soon as you take that first sip. It's quite noticeable because most Matcha lattes had this blunt punch that hits you but this is different. It starts with small smooth sting then gradually increases in strength in an elegant way. It's a nice treat.

They also serve their drinks iced for those hot summers in Manila

They also serve their drinks Iced for those hot Manila days. To serve as a partner for your drinks they offer a wide variety of cakes, confections, pastas and finger foods! The s'more they offer I believe is homemade. The marshmallow has sweeten from having its sugar caramelised and the hot chocolate inside is able to counter it with its own complex mix of sweetness and bitterness.

Another dish to try when you just need to sit down, relaxing and catching up to your reading is their spinach artichoke that surprisingly goes well with their Dark Matter Theory Beans! I was just surprised at how well they mixed in my mouth. Try it!

A must try with their Dark Matter Theory!

 The Price

Espresso starts at Php 100 while the Iced Latte will set you back Php 140. A mocha is Php 160 while the Matcha Latte is Php 130. Their drinks are priced in between the Php 100 to Php 160 range. The Sandwiches ranges from Php 195 to Php 215 while their Pasta ranges from Php 195 to Php 225.00 All are reasonably priced and you won't find anything here that will hurt your pockets. 

Overall I love their lattes especially the espresso latte and the matcha latte. I couldn't find any other coffee spot in the area that could give me this satisfaction. Not Yet anyway! See you guys on the next one!

Do you want to Contact 'United Coffee PH?'

Address: 16 United Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City Philippines
Telephone number: (02) 738 - 7177

Instagram: @UnitedCoffeePH

 Operating Hours: Mon-Th, Sun: 11:30AM to 11PM; Fri-Sat: 11.30 AM to 12MN

The view from Cebu's famous mountain top!

Yolk Cafe
Tan Kim Building, 80 Tres Borces Padres St, Cebu City, Cebu

Yolk cafe is this unassuming place along Tres Borces Cebu city with homey interiors and accommodating staff! For their dishes, we could not get enough of their Eggs Benedict. The way it was cooked was perfect. The egg whites were firm and moist while the yolk was runny and flavorful. 

The daily dose of latte and cappuccino!

For coffee we had the usual latte and cappuccino but what caught our eye was their signature Coconut Coffee cooler. The coconut juice surprisingly blends well with their espresso based beverage and with coconut white shavings on top adds texture and constrasting flavors that complete the package It is no wonder that this drink has won international awards.

The Coconut Coffee Cooler! 

We would come back for it in a heartbeat.

A finer casual cebu dining experience!

Tymad Bistro
Paseo Saturnino, Ma. Luisa Road,Banilad, Cebu

One of my friends whose parents have travelled to Paris, France said that Tymad makes one of the best Kouign Amanns outside of Paris. Knowing full well that my friend's mother is a picky eater, made me very excited to see if it were true.

One of the best Kouign Amanns outside of Paris!

Tymad opens early at 7 AM and we got there, the pastries were just hot off the oven so we immediately ordered their Kouign Amann. Each thin sheet was crispy, flakey and sweet and as take your first bite, you can feel each layer break apart in your mouth as it releases the flavors of the flour, the butter and the cinnamon. It was spectacular.

The Big Breakfast!

Aside from the Kouign Amann, we ordered two Eggs Benedicts breakfast set and one Big Breakfast set. I found that the vegetable salad to be fresh but not the best out there while everything else like the poached eggs, the crunchy bacon, the fresh salmon, the oven-fresh toasted bread, and the sauce to be absolutely delicious.

The Bacon Eggs Benedict!

The sausages, the beans and vegetables from the big breakfast was good but not spectacular like the rest of the dish. The eggs, the bacon and the mushrooms were exquisite. 

The Salmon Eggs Benedict with Vegetable salad!

It was clear why Tymad has a hair higher pricing that most Cebu establishments, but it was well worth it. It's not that high of a premium though, Metro Manila still has higher pricing from my experience.

Wonderful Ambiance at Cafe Georg!

Cafe Georg
Ground Floor, MLD Building, Gov. M. Cuenco Ave, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu

Cafe Georg was a pleasant surprise because my friends who have been to Cebu prior to my trip said that Cafe Georg wasn't as great as they used to be. What surprised us was how great the dishes were. In fact, they offer dishes that are better than some of what we have in Manila. The dishes offered are a fusion of classics from different cuisines with their own twists. 

All Beef Lasagna!

I love their All Beef Lasagna because of how creamy it was, and how the beef flavor was the star but was complimented by the cheese, the ragu sauce and the toasted bread. I couldn't get enough. We also tried a satisfying sandwich that we had to share to finish, and the Kimchi Fried rice which was okay, but I have had better. 

Sandwich!

It was fun. I would come back to try the other dishes.

Rico's Lechon Sisig is amazing!

Rico's Lechon
F. Cabahug St, Cebu City, Cebu

Rico's Lechon is one of the major Lechon establishments in Cebu and well their Lechon is good but not mind blowing. It is less salty than Zubu though, which to me is a good thing. What sold us was the Lechon sisig! It was amazing. It was crispy, it was salty, and it was spicy! Watch your 'Batoks!'

A kilo of Lechon!

It's not mind blowing but it's good enough to try whenever you are in Cebu! You can't go wrong here!

So to summarize, we loved Yolk, Rico's Lechon, Tymad and Cafe Georg that we would visit them again when we get the chance to visit Cebu. What do you guys think of our list? Do you agree or do you have recommendations? Tell us at the comment section below!

Change is a difficult reality that is inevitable yet people seek it. A good example was the 2016 Philippine Presidential race where huge change was voted by the people. Some on the other hand want a change where they can bring back some of the lost arts. One of them are the people behind 'Talas Manileño' where they seek to bring back the elegance of male Manileño grooming.

Knick-knacks from the passions of the owner of the shop!

The Ambiance

Talas Manileño can be found along the Cubao expo arcade. It is distinct because of its dark blue color with a folding chalk board outside that  proudly reads their services.

The inside is reminiscent of an 80's style apartment complex where wood and cement are used extensively.

The beverage bar at the second floor!

As you enter the ground floor you see the three barber-chairs on the right and the reception desk on the left. The hair was sink and the stair case at the back. On the second floor are two more barber-chairs, a seating area and the beverage bar where they serve your chosen drink along side your chosen service.

Classics are unbeatable!

The Cut and Shave

The Haircut and the shaving services is a step above most because of the owners and the barbers adherence to the classics of simple, elegant cuts, shaves and styles. All the barbers listen to your requests and to your preferences that you will feel at home immediately.

The shave follows their same adherence to the classics. It was slow and meticulous as I could feel the sensation of each strand of hair on my jawline being chipped one by one. It was an amazing feeling knowing that your barber is carefully trimming and massaging your beard.

In fact, the barber themselves will recommend and will teach you tips on how to shave or how to maintain your beard/moustache.

I enjoyed their services quite well and I couldn't help but notice their spray bottles were used from recycled Ginebra Gin bottles! I was so sold by this that I said 'Iyan ang tunay na Manileño!'

'Iyan ang tunay na Manileño!'

The Price

Haircut and wash starts at Php 280.00 but is priced at Php 570.00 together with the shave. Their Signature service, the Manileño is a haircut and wash with your chosen drink which is priced at Php 450.00. While the Talas Batangas is a shave with your chosen beverage priced at Php 470.00

The Conclusion

Talas Manileño is the place to be if you want that classic Filipino grooming made famous by our national heroes like Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo and the Luna Siblings. They are the best at bringing those classic styles to the modern Manileño and I highly recommend their services!

Do you want to Contact 'Talas Manileño?'

Cubao Expo, 38 Gen. Romulo Ave. Brgy. Socorro, Cubao Quezon City

Contact number: (+63)917 503 1842

Facebook: Talas Manileño Facebook Page

Instagram: @Talasmanilenyo

Operating Hours: 1PM to 9PM

For several years now I have been hearing about beautiful beach sanctuaries several hours from Manila. Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves would always be part of that conversation. So when a friend of mine said they were going on a trip to Nagsasa Cove, I jumped ship!

The view that greeted us!

Manila to San Antonio, Zambales

We were lucky enough to form a group of nine people so we decided to hire a driver and a van. What We got was this wonderful gentleman, driver Noel. His van was a big Toyota Grandia. It was big enough for the nine of us and our luggages and our necessities. 

Our pick-up point was along EDSA-Shaw blvd where we also had our breakfast at a local fast food joint. We left at 7 AM. Ideally, the drive would take two hours if without traffic. 

A sneak peak of what's to come!

Unfortunately, traffic in Manila is nothing new. It took us an hour to get from our pick-up point at Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City to the Toll gates at NLEX. It took another hour to get through the toll exit booths and to Subic. From Subic it was another hour to get to San Antonio, Zambales. 

It was a long ride. Along the way, most of us were either chatting, sleeping or eating. (What else is new?) 

The hut where we waited for our boat!

San Antonio, Zambales to Nagsasa Cove

San Antonio is an interesting little town. It was obvious that tourism was a major source of income for its local. The many small travel agencies, the number locals trying to sell you local crafts, the plentiful food stalls and the large number of parking lots.

Once we arrived, our guide, met us and lead us to their hut where we would rest as we waited for our boat ride. The quickest way to get to the cove is by Boat. You would have to traverse the mountain range if you were to get to it by land. 

Shakiness!

The boat ride itself is an hour long. At first, the waves would be a cause for concern, but after a while it grows on you. You begin to notice how beautiful the water is when it glistens against the sun and how the mountains and cliffs flaunt their majestic nature. 

As we reached the cove itself, the water began to calm and the view of the pine trees were a sign that we were indeed near.

Timing is everything

Nagsasa Cove Day One

As we near the shore, the engine was turned off and we were drifting towards the shore while our captain guided the boat with the fin controls. The first mate went ahead to the nose of the boat to prepare for anchor drop. After dropping anchor, he guided the nose of the boat to land safely.

Land Ho!

As the boat sat still as it can, we dropped off and the boatmen soon helped with our luggages. They then led us to our camp site and prepared our tents. 

Picnic tables and tents!

After the tents were built, we settled in our own tents and proceeded to do our own thing. Some prepared the meal, some prepared for a swim and I prepared for a photowalk.

Still water Reflections!

It was the afternoon and the low tide began to take effect. From the camp site, I walked while taking my time with capturing pictures at my leisure. I made my way to the river where I passed by various forms of vegetation. Some with thorns and some with none. I made it to the river bed where there were various round stones that gave me a hard time traversing. Eventually I made it to open field where you have a full view of the mountain range.

Beautiful!

I crossed the river and was met with a grassy plane. The grass was were at chest level. Fortunately, there were signs of a path that was worn down by frequent use. I navigated through the path until I reached the pine trees. It wasn't long till I found my way to the camp site on the other side of the cove.

I took continued to take pictures and after two hours of wanderlust I decided to go back to camp.

At the same time, the people who took a dip arrived at the camp to dry up. We were all on time for dinner. The only problem was, there were no lights. We had to eat with just the LED lights from our phones. It was quite the challenge.

After dinner, we gathered around a bonfire that we just lit and played some drinking games while playing a board game. It was crazy fun.

The River Bed!

Nagsasa Cove Day Two

I went to bed at 9.30 PM and awoke at 12.30 AM. I decided to take a walk as I felt too well rested to fall back asleep. When I got out of my tent, I saw the trees right across from me and behind it was the Milky Way. I was breathe taking. I had forgotten how beautiful the stars were and how plentiful they were. From the edge of the ocean in front of me to the mountains behind me, All I could see were stars.

Before Sunrise (Watch the Movie)

There was just something about it. It was so quiet that you could only hear the cold ocean wind hitting the curves of your ear lobes, the ocean waves slamming itself towards the shore and the insects making their mating calls. It was beautiful and it was serene. It was so relaxing.

I wanted to take pictures of the stars but I forgot my tripod. Bring one if you can! The stars are too pretty to miss out on. I then laid down on a picnic table and just stared at the stars until 3.30 AM where I fell asleep.

The sun is about to rise!

I woke up at 5AM and felt so relaxed, relieved and revitalised. I haven't been to the beach in a long time. The serenity of the place did its job. I took a shower right after waking up. It was quite an experience being able to Shower with a faucet and pail again. I changed clothes and saw that the sun was about to rise so I ran to the other side of the cove for another photowalk.

I finished at around 6.30 and breakfast was almost done. We decided to help set the table and we ate.
Most of the food we cooked were bought fresh from the market in Manila. The Travel agency provided ice, gas, stove, coal and utensils.

Watch my shadow break free!

At 9AM everybody was done taking a bath and suiting up. We then headed for the hiking trail where we could see the whole cove. The climb itself was pretty quick. We got to the top in 20 minutes. It was the trek down that was more intense.

We reached the foot of the mountain after a short while and we saw a great spot to swim. It was near the rocks but the mountain was providing a amount of shade that gave the area a cooler swim than the rest of the cove.

We swam until 11 AM and after a quick wash, we ate lunch. After that we started packing and waited for our boat ride to Capones Island.

Near the top!

Capones Island

Capones Island is the island right across the beach where our waiting hut was in San Antonio Village. It took nearly an hour to get there from Nagsasa. The Island itself is beautiful with white sand, clear water and sculpted cliffs. The only thing was we couldn't climb it and reach the light house. 

So after a couple of minutes of taking in the view we left for San Antonio where we had our last time to wash ourselves of the sand and salt water. We took our baths in the travel agency's hut and after suiting up we packed up and got on our van and left for Manila.

Capones Island!

San Antonio, Zambales to Manila

The ride back took three hours which was roughly the same as our trip to San Antonio. We left at 4PM and got to Manila at 8PM because we decided to stop over to have dinner at a McDonald's in Subic. The trip was so relaxing.

Breakdown

Total Php 18,000 for Nine People

Php 2000.00 per head

Php 1000 for Van and Driver

Php 700 for Travel Agency (Boat, Tent, Utilities, Ice, Assistance)

Php 400 for Groceries and Food

The Verdict

What we Liked:

• Several hours away from Manila
• Php 700 Travel Agency fee is a great value!
• The Van was the most expensive part of the trip but at least we were safe and comfortable
• Nagsasa is not the prettiest place but it sure makes up for with Serenity
• Kind locals
• There are sari-sari stores with sodas, junk food, coffee, beer, soap, shampoo and the like

What we ALMOST Liked:

• Can be crowded during peak seasons and there was an area of the cove where most people were. ( We were lucky to be on the side where there were few people)
• Not much to do but Swimming, barbecuing, hiking and exploration
• White sand on top of black sand